Office PAT Testing Services

At GreensafeIT we understand that the costs of having work undertaken can be a big factor when choosing PAT testing services. Our pricing structure is transparent with no hidden charges; you would typically need to supply us with an estimated number of appliances that needs to be checked for electrical safety. As a general rule, the more appliances tested the cheaper it costs per appliance.

GreensafeIT don’t claim to be the cheapest, however we believe in offering a fantastic service at a reasonable cost, with a long term commitment to your business. We ensure that all our testing service is carried out as efficiently as possible and we pride ourselves on offering a quality service and value for money.

Legal Requirements

The legislation of specific relevance to electrical maintenance is the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 puts the duty of care upon both the employer and the employee to ensure the safety of all persons using the work premises. This includes those self- employed.

The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states “Every employer shall make suitable and sufficient assessment of:

(a) The risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst at work, and

(b) The risks to ensure the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him or his undertaking.”

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 states “Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.”

The PUWER 1998 covers most risks that can result from using work equipment. With respect to risks from electricity, compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 is likely to achieve compliance with the PUWER 1998. PUWER 1998 only applies to work equipment used by workers at work. This includes all work equipment (fixed, transportable or portable) connected to a source of electrical energy. PUWER does not apply to fixed installations in a building. The electrical safety of these installations is dealt with only by the Electricity at Work Regulations.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states:

“All systems shall at all times be of such construction as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger.”

“As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger.”

“‘System’ means an electrical system in which all the electrical equipment is, or may be, electrically connected to a common source of electrical energy and includes such source and such equipment”

“‘Electrical Equipment’ includes anything used, intended to be used or installed for use, to generate, provide, transmit, transform, rectify, convert, conduct, distribute, control, store, measure or use electrical energy.”

Scope of the legislation

It is clear that the combination of the HSW Act 1974, the PUWER 1998 and the EAW Regulations 1989 apply to all electrical equipment used in, or associated with, places of work. The scope extends from distribution systems down to the smallest piece of electrical equipment. It is clear that there is a requirement to inspect and test all types of electrical equipment in all work situations.

The reasons for testing portable and transportable equipment:

PAT Testing forms an important part of The Safety at Work Act (1974)

The UK Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1988 (PUWER) States that “every Employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adopted as to be suitable for the purpose of which it is used or provided”.

The use of Electricity in The Work Place is subject to “The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989”

This regulation places a legal responsibility on employers and self-employed persons to take reasonable practical steps to ensure no danger results from the use of any electrical appliances. This requires the introduction of a systematic and regular programmed schedule of maintenance, inspection & testing.

The Safety at Work Act places such an obligation in the following conditions:

Where appliances are used by employees

Where the public may use appliances in establishments

Where appliances are supplied or hired

Where appliances are repaired or serviced

The level of inspection & testing required is dependent upon the risk of the appliance becoming faulty, which is dependent upon the type of appliance used and the environment that it is used.

Increasingly the insurance industry is requiring that Office PAT Testing is carried out prior to the renewal of an insurance policy. This is because over 1000 work place accidents involving electric shock are reported to The Health & Safety Executive each year, of which some are fatal. Most of the reported accidents involve portable appliances

GreensafeIT can cover large and small projects and can offer project management and site surveys prior to the project go live. GreensafeIT will provide relevant security cleared engineers and professionals to SC clearance levels and will also provide detailed statement of work documents prior to any project initiation.